Wednesday, April 04, 2012

So I am sitting in court the other day with a client of mine, and I am watching the ADA in the case question a veteran police officer on direct. His answers, as is always the case with these "officers of the law", were perfect. (What is it that they say about practice?)

I don't know why, but I am thinking about that police officer as I write this post. For some reason I keep hearing those perfectly rehearsed answers and I keep seeing the face that was giving them.

Howard Morgan was a black off duty police officer in Chicago when he was shot 28 times by white officers. Fortunately for him he survived the shooting. Unfortunately for him he was charged with attempted murder among other crimes.

The story:

"As much of the country follows the Trayvon Martin case, activists in Chicago are hoping to bring some of that attention to Howard Morgan, a former Chicago police officer who was shot 28 times by white officers -- and lived to tell his side of the story.

According to police, Morgan opened fire with his service weapon when officers tried to arrest him, which caused them to shoot him 28 times. His family, however, very much doubts those claims.

“Four white officers and one black Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad police man with his weapon on him — around the corner from our home — and he just decided to go crazy? No. That’s ludicrous,” Morgan's wife, Rosalind Morgan, told the Sun-Times.

She was not the only person to doubt CPD's side of the story. A Change.org petition signed by more than 2,600 people called for all charges against Morgan to be dropped, and now Occupy Chicago is getting involved. "After being left for dead, he survived and was then charged with attempted murder of the four white officers who brutalized him," Occupy wrote on their website, adding that Morgan was found not guilty on three counts, including discharging his weapon. The same jury that cleared him of opening fire on the officers, however, deadlocked on a charge of attempted murder -- and another jury found him guilty in January.

That jury was not allowed to hear that Morgan had been acquitted of the other charges....

...As much of the country follows the Trayvon Martin case, activists in Chicago are hoping to bring some of that attention to Howard Morgan, a former Chicago police officer who was shot 28 times by white officers -- and lived to tell his side of the story.

According to police, Morgan opened fire with his service weapon when officers tried to arrest him, which caused them to shoot him 28 times. His family, however, very much doubts those claims.

“Four white officers and one black Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad police man with his weapon on him — around the corner from our home — and he just decided to go crazy? No. That’s ludicrous,” Morgan's wife, Rosalind Morgan, told the Sun-Times.

She was not the only person to doubt CPD's side of the story. A Change.org petition signed by more than 2,600 people called for all charges against Morgan to be dropped, and now Occupy Chicago is getting involved. "After being left for dead, he survived and was then charged with attempted murder of the four white officers who brutalized him," Occupy wrote on their website, adding that Morgan was found not guilty on three counts, including discharging his weapon. The same jury that cleared him of opening fire on the officers, however, deadlocked on a charge of attempted murder -- and another jury found him guilty in January.

That jury was not allowed to hear that Morgan had been acquitted of the other charges.' Howard Morgan's van was crushed and destroyed without notice or cause before any forensic investigation could be done.

...Howard Morgan was never tested for gun residue to confirm if he even fired a weapon on the morning in question. The State never produced the actual bullet proof vest worn by one of the officers who claimed to have allegedly taken a shot directly into the vest on the morning in question. The State only produced a replica.

“If they can do this and eliminate double jeopardy and your constitutional rights, then my God, I fear for every Afro-American — whether they be male or female — in this corrupt unjust system,” Morgan's wife told the Sun-Times. Howard Morgan will be sentenced Thursday. He faces 80 years in prison." [Source] (h/t to Paula for sharing this story)

Practice.

Anyway, all is not lost when it comes to seeking and getting justice in A-merry-ca.

"By Richard Fausset

April 4, 2012, 3:47 p.m.

Reporting from Atlanta—

Punctuating what New Orleans' mayor called a "dark chapter" in his city's history, five former local police officers were sentenced Wednesday for their role in the Danziger Bridge shooting incident, which left two innocent people dead and four others seriously wounded in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

U.S. District Court Judge Kurt Englehardt handed down long sentences for four of the officers, ranging from 38 to 65 years in prison. The fifth, former Sgt. Arthur Kauffman -- who was not involved in the shootings, but was involved in an attempted cover-up -- received six years.

The Danziger case was the most notorious of several instances of violent police misconduct in the days after Hurricane Katrina, when great swaths of the city were flooded, looters roamed the streets, and many public services, including the Police Department, were in dramatic disarray.."(More here)

I really, really wish you would write a diary on Howard Morgan and post it on Daily Kos. There are multiple diaries about Trayvon (rightfully so) but there is no mention of Howard Morgan. This is another family that needs exposure to the media.

Morgan shot at the police. Seventeen times. His Glock semi-auto was in slide-lock when it was recovered. And since he was shooting at the police, that qualifies as attempted murder. Oh, and two officers (or was it three?) sustained bullet wounds from the shooting - can we explain that one?

If this is true I have one question for such an upstanding member of the industrial race complex. Why are all the facts always omitted? Even if you think they are lies? You make this guy sound like an angel who just happened to drive down a one way street, la-de-da and bam 4 crazy cops decided not only to murder him but shoot him a whopping 28 times. All because he is Black and they are white, but he fooled them and lived. Are you saying the police lied convincingly enough to a jury that he shot at them and faked bullet wounds from his gun? That's why you split hairs and want him tested to see if he even fired a gun? Do you think the cops shot themselves with his gun? The outcry from his family makes you think all charges should be dropped?

Field, why must this be a Black and White issue? Why can't it just be an American issue between a detective and four policemen?

Must you and PilotX make this into a racial issue too? The Trayvon incident I could see but now you have gone hog wild with all kinds of racists accusations!

Come on, give the Whites a break. They are good people. At least, that's the way I see it. Some ARE good people.......aren't they? If so, YOU, Mr. Field, need to post such and give credit where credit is due.

Tell me something Field. In your side bar under MORE REAL NEWS YOU NEGROES COULD USE, you have a woman who looks White reading the NEGRO NEWS Newspaper.

Now why is that? Are you trying to say that Whites need to read about us or are you trying to say that Blacks can't read? I am truly truly depressed about the way you present some things about us. I mean, it's almost anti-Black.

Dr. Reine, why do you call yourself a doctor? YOU ARE NOT A DOCTOR. Why must you always pretend or try to steal from the future before you have not even worked for it? You are an embarrassment to the black race. It's depressing. It makes me want to be Asian.

~“You will recall the incident of the beating of the black homeless man Sherman Ware on December 4, 2010 by the son of a Sanford police officer. The beating sparked outrage in the community but there were very few that stepped up to do anything about it. I would presume the inaction was because of the fact that he was homeless not because he was black. Do you know the individual who stepped up when no one else in the black community would? Do you know who spent tireless hours putting flyers on the cars of persons parked in the churches of the black community? Do you know who waited for the church-goers to get out of church so that he could hand them flyers in an attempt to organize the black community against this horrible miscarriage of justice? Do you know who helped organize the City Hall meeting on January 8, 2011 at Sanford City Hall?? That person was GEORGE ZIMMERMAN.”...http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/04/daniel-zimmerman/quote-of-the-day-narrative-destroying-edition/http://www.scribd.com/doc/87688384/Zimmerman-family-member-letter-to-NAACP`

NSangoma, thanks for the information. this is the kind of info we need to know about. Isn't it amazing that the black community in conjunction with the church did nothing about this unbelievable brutal killing?

Well, don't expect hoodie wearing Field to post about it. Like the folks in Sanford he could give a damn. Field goes where Rev Al goes.

The resolution of the Trayvon Martin case is a lose-lose scenario for Obama: either Organized Blackness gets its way and the lynch mob triumphs, thereby alienating White voters, or Organized Blackness is called out on “No Justice, No Peace,” and reacts in a way that alienates White voters.

"Why has Alicia Banks, a beloved radio voice, gone back to school? 'I want to be as radical and renowned as a professor as I am as a talk show host.' Her FM show...has been her 'labor of love' for a decade...'I decided to change careers at this point because radio has been entirely locked down by white male neocons'...The same forces that inspired Banks to head to the hills of academia conspire against marginal forces in music...She points out that the vast majority of radio stations are owned by a small number of companies, and playlists are increasingly computerized...." GIRLFRIENDS MAGAZINE 7/2000

"Musicologist, activist, and cyber columnist is how Alicia Banks describes herself. But she's better known to her fans and detractors as a popular talk radio personality. She is the producer, creator, and host of two radio shows...Alicia heats up early morning airwaves with her take-no -prisoners approach. But her shock-jock comparisons end with her eclectic mix of music and anti-racist interpretation...." GIRLFRIENDS MAGAZINE 9/1997

"If talk radio seems dominated by clones of Rush Limbaugh, Alicia Banks is the answer...Her fans revere her...The creator of two immensely popular radio programs, Banks has her finger on the pulse of American culture. There's a growing hunger for her message..." VICTORY MAGAZINE 1/1996

"Banks makes it her business to deliver music, news and commentary in a way that challenges...Her show has become ground zero for a fire storm of controversy...Banks has built an enthusiastic audience and won a second prime time talk show...."OUT MAGAZINE 6/1994

"Banks' programs are no ordinary talk shows...Her broadcasts are not to be taken lightly. She seems ready for anything. She is fearless..." DENEUVE MAGAZINE 6/1994

"Banks' program combines the voices of Dinah Washington and Billie Holiday with tribal songs, fictional readings, erotica, and political discussions. It is the politics which have caused a stir..." THE WASHINGTON BLADE 2/25/1994

"Alicia Banks jumped the tracks from FM to AM, sending sparks through the airwaves and widening debates on heated topics...Banks is no ordinary talk show host. She's articulate, intelligent, and above all, she's fearless...Banks' soft graceful voice belies the forcefulness of her views...Since 1989, the French-fluent host has segued personal commentary and literary messages with hours of music..." ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION 10/14/1993

"Since 1989, Alicia has been heating up the airwaves with her eyebrow raising program...Although the show is packed with great voices of the past and present, there's room for deep talk...Banks is now having the last laugh with her success..." ATLANTA MAGAZINE 10/1993

"Alicia Banks is no wimp... It's that kind of outspokenness that has brought an audience to her show..." SOUTHERN VOICE 6/17/1993

get over those of us who revere and adore our soft nappy natural beautiful lovely locks

we have no euro desire to press/perm/bleach etc our lioness manes

&

we are LEGION!!!

“If your hair is relaxed, white people are relaxed. If your hair is nappy, they’re not happy.”So says comedian Paul Mooney in Chris Rock's new documentary "Good Hair". Mooney was quoted in the New York Times yesterday in an article that explored the politics of black women's hair. Is it selling out to straighten it? Is not straightening it a political statement? Or is it fashion? Or is it convenience?

Holy Certifiably insane. You are one batshit crazy woman. What set you off and who the hell are you talking to? Did you feel inferior and threatened by someone that you had to post some ancient affirmative action accolades from your heyday? Did someone tell you this was post your resume for the insane day? 1993/94 was 18 years ago. If we wanted to read dinosaurs inflated resumes we could go to the library.

list ANYthing that you have ever done ANY year?in any sheet/hoodrat wig???

then holla back...ok?u lie like hobama

got envy???

Who’s Who in America 2008 - 2013Who’s Who in the World 2007 & 2010-2013Who’s Who of American Women 2008 - 2011

Who’s Who in American Education 2007-2008

Who's Who Among America’s Teachers 2005-2006

Alicia, get some help please. It isn't normal to come onto a blog and yell at people that you have beautiful hair and post your resume. What are you trying to prove? who are you trying to bully into loving you?

It's also really sad and pathetic that for the last ten years you paid to have your name posted in the Who's/Who scam of directories and actually think this is an accomplishment. We all get those letters dear and it doesn't mean anything but that you paid for it.

I swear this is true. My neighbor is a black guy with a Ph.D in physics, and he's just the nicest guy in the world and his favorite music is SHOWBOAT, and he loves to sing OLD MAN RIVER.

But last night, a bunch of hooded KKK goons came to his house, burned a cross on his lawn, screamed the n-word, shot his dog, raped his wife, and put chains around his children, one of whom happens to be gay.

What is this country coming to? Does anyone know the number to the NY Times? I gotta report this.

Let's see now, Zimmerman turns out to be Hispanic not white, 170 lbs. not 250, said "cold" not "coon", the 911 tape was edited to make him sound racist, ABC photoshopped a photo to make him look whiter, and everyone ran photos of Trayvon from when he was 11 instead of his more recent photos striking thug life poses. It also now seems doubtful Trayvon ever bought those Skittles, and really was out casing houses.

If one were paranoid, one might think there was some sort of propaganda agenda being pushed by the mainstream press.

A 17 year old boy is dead, and we need to know the truth. In their rush to 'help' convict Zimmerman, and with him White America, the Media and Organized Blackness stretched the truth about this situation over and over again. In the end, they have probably hurt the case by poisoning it with lies.

Why did they destroy the evidence? It wouldn't ssurprise me if those crooks shot themeselves. They've done it in the past. Plus Morgan was aquitted by a jury of his pairs...what did he shoot them with? His teeth? Blacks sure do have thick gums cousin skeeter.

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